Policy-ish : NPRhttps://www.npr.org
Who gets what sort of care often boils down to big decisions about policy. Find the latest on the federal health overhaul, the intersection of government regulation and health, and the battle to contain costs.enCopyright 2018 NPR - For Personal Use OnlyNPR API RSS Generator 0.94Wed, 14 Mar 2018 06:00:00 -0400https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200Policy-ishhttps://www.npr.org
Virginia Republicans Divided On Medicaid ExpansionMedicaid expansion is a real possibility in Virginia this year. The matter will be taken up in a special session after lawmakers failed to agree on whether or not to do it in the regular session.Wed, 14 Mar 2018 06:00:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/14/593092772/virginia-republicans-divided-on-medicaid-expansion?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/14/593092772/virginia-republicans-divided-on-medicaid-expansion?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

Medicaid expansion is a real possibility in Virginia this year. The matter will be taken up in a special session after lawmakers failed to agree on whether or not to do it in the regular session.

(Image credit: Craig Carper /WCVE)

]]>Megan PaulyFor Aspiring Doctors With Disabilities, Many Medical Schools Come Up ShortA national survey finds medical schools should do more to help doctors with disabilities thrive. While some schools do make needed accommodations, others need to take basic steps to help.Tue, 13 Mar 2018 16:19:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/13/593213404/for-aspiring-doctors-with-disabilities-many-medical-schools-come-up-short?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/13/593213404/for-aspiring-doctors-with-disabilities-many-medical-schools-come-up-short?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

A national survey finds medical schools should do more to help doctors with disabilities thrive. While some schools do make needed accommodations, others need to take basic steps to help.

Last month's congressional budget deal included some benefits for Medicare recipients that may reduce their drug expenses and increase the coverage for certain therapies.

(Image credit: Bert Johnson for KHN)

]]>Susan JaffeNo Go For Idaho: State Will Have To Rethink Its 'Freedom' Health PoliciesThe Trump administration has advised Idaho that its plan to allow insurance policies that fall short of Obamacare standards could result in penalties for insurers. But another strategy might yet fly.Fri, 09 Mar 2018 20:52:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/09/592475047/no-go-for-idaho-state-will-have-to-rethink-its-freedom-health-policies?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/09/592475047/no-go-for-idaho-state-will-have-to-rethink-its-freedom-health-policies?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

The Trump administration has advised Idaho that its plan to allow insurance policies that fall short of Obamacare standards could result in penalties for insurers. But another strategy might yet fly.

As states brace for insurance market instability, some — like Maryland — take aggressive action.

(Image credit: John Holcroft/Ikon Images/Getty Images)

]]>Rachel BluthMental Health Funding Tied To Florida's Controversial Gun LegislationFlorida has had three mass shootings in 20 months. Twice before, there have been calls for more mental health funding from the state — to no avail. Will this time be any different?Tue, 06 Mar 2018 17:00:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/06/591141401/mental-health-funding-tied-to-floridas-controversial-gun-legislation?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/06/591141401/mental-health-funding-tied-to-floridas-controversial-gun-legislation?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

Florida has had three mass shootings in 20 months. Twice before, there have been calls for more mental health funding from the state — to no avail. Will this time be any different?

(Image credit: Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images)

]]>Julio OchoaU.S. Immigration Policy Threatens Shake-Up In Home Health BusinessAt least a million more home aides will be needed in the next decade, U.S. statistics suggest. And about a quarter of today's 3 million aides who help older adults avoid nursing homes are immigrants.Mon, 05 Mar 2018 05:00:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/05/587691189/immigrants-who-staff-home-health-care-in-the-u-s-worry-about-deportation?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/05/587691189/immigrants-who-staff-home-health-care-in-the-u-s-worry-about-deportation?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

At least a million more home aides will be needed in the next decade, U.S. statistics suggest. And about a quarter of today's 3 million aides who help older adults avoid nursing homes are immigrants.

(Image credit: Ina Jaffe/NPR)

]]>Ina JaffeTime Running Short For Congress To Stabilize Individual Insurance MarketBipartisan efforts on Capitol Hill seek to help keep premium prices from rising out of control and undermining the policies available to people who don't get insurance through their jobs.Fri, 02 Mar 2018 05:00:30 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/02/589577443/time-running-short-for-congress-to-stabilize-individual-insurance-market?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/02/589577443/time-running-short-for-congress-to-stabilize-individual-insurance-market?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

Bipartisan efforts on Capitol Hill seek to help keep premium prices from rising out of control and undermining the policies available to people who don't get insurance through their jobs.

(Image credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

]]>Julie RovnerStates Seek More Federal Funding For Opioid Treatment, Not More PromisesThe Trump administration has talked about prioritizing the opioid crisis, but states have seen little in the way of new resources. And, in some states, getting into treatment is becoming even harder.Thu, 01 Mar 2018 05:00:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/01/589572710/states-seek-more-federal-funding-for-opioid-treatment-not-more-promises?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/01/589572710/states-seek-more-federal-funding-for-opioid-treatment-not-more-promises?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

The Trump administration has talked about prioritizing the opioid crisis, but states have seen little in the way of new resources. And, in some states, getting into treatment is becoming even harder.

(Image credit: Nathaniel Minor/CPR News)

]]>John Daley, CPR NewsYour 2018 Health Plan Must Comply With ACA Rules Or You Risk Tax PenaltiesThe tax reform law passed in December did repeal the Affordable Care Act's penalties for not having comprehensive health insurance. But the penalties are still in effect until 2019.Tue, 27 Feb 2018 05:00:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/27/588950615/your-2018-health-plan-must-comply-with-aca-rules-or-you-risk-tax-penalties?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/27/588950615/your-2018-health-plan-must-comply-with-aca-rules-or-you-risk-tax-penalties?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

The tax reform law passed in December did repeal the Affordable Care Act's penalties for not having comprehensive health insurance. But the penalties are still in effect until 2019.

The Department of Health and Human Services is proposing a rule that would expand short-term policies that don't have to meet the Affordable Care Act's benefit requirements.

(Image credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

]]>Alison KodjakIdaho Insurer Moves Ahead With Health Plans That Flout Federal RulesBlue Cross of Idaho unveiled new health plans that break with federal requirements in several ways, including setting premiums based on applicants' health. What will the administration do?Thu, 15 Feb 2018 12:59:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/15/586010684/idaho-insurer-moves-ahead-with-health-plans-that-flout-federal-rules?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/15/586010684/idaho-insurer-moves-ahead-with-health-plans-that-flout-federal-rules?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

Blue Cross of Idaho unveiled new health plans that break with federal requirements in several ways, including setting premiums based on applicants' health. What will the administration do?

(Image credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

]]>Julie ApplebyTrump Administration Sued Over Ending Funding Of Teen Pregnancy ProgramsSeveral Planned Parenthood chapters and other groups are suing the federal government because they say their grants for sex education and pregnancy prevention were canceled without explanation.Thu, 15 Feb 2018 11:00:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/15/585879601/trump-administration-sued-for-ending-funding-of-teen-pregnancy-programs?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/15/585879601/trump-administration-sued-for-ending-funding-of-teen-pregnancy-programs?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

Several Planned Parenthood chapters and other groups are suing the federal government because they say their grants for sex education and pregnancy prevention were canceled without explanation.

(Image credit: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

]]>Alison KodjakMaryland's No-Cost Vasectomy Law May Leave Some Patients BehindState officials seeking to cover birth control methods for both men and women are trying to make sure the new law doesn't conflict with federal rules for health savings accounts.Wed, 14 Feb 2018 05:00:18 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/14/585443421/marylands-no-cost-vasectomy-law-may-leave-some-patients-behind?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/14/585443421/marylands-no-cost-vasectomy-law-may-leave-some-patients-behind?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

State officials seeking to cover birth control methods for both men and women are trying to make sure the new law doesn't conflict with federal rules for health savings accounts.

(Image credit: Wendy Ashton/Getty Images)

]]>Michelle AndrewsTrump's Budget Proposal Swings At Drug Prices But May Land Only A Glancing Blow The Trump administration rolled out a list of actions in its budget proposal to attack drug prices, but most of the measures dance around the edges of the problem.Tue, 13 Feb 2018 11:59:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/13/585183996/trumps-budget-proposal-swings-at-drug-prices-but-may-land-only-a-glancing-blow?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/13/585183996/trumps-budget-proposal-swings-at-drug-prices-but-may-land-only-a-glancing-blow?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=policyish

The Trump administration rolled out a list of actions in its budget proposal to attack drug prices, but most of the measures dance around the edges of the problem.